For families in parts of the North East Gonja District of the Savannah Region, the heavy rains have washed away more than homes.
They have taken away food, farm produce, livestock and access to markets and healthcare.
At least 93 houses have collapsed, and more than 246 residents have been left without shelter following torrential rainfall in the district.
The floods have also destroyed a section of a key feeder road, cutting off communities including Lantung Park, Kedingi and Kanankula.
The National Disaster Management Organisation
(NADMO) said the flooding followed continuous rainfall that began on Wednesday.
Families left counting losses
NADMO’s Savannah Regional Director, Mahama Zakaria, who led an assessment of the affected communities, said the disaster had destroyed food stocks and farm produce.
He said situation reports had been sent to NADMO’s head office and that relief items could reach the victims within 48 hours.
“Our immediate priority is to assess the extent of the damage and provide support to residents who have been displaced,” Mr Zakaria said.
But for affected residents, the damage goes beyond collapsed houses.
Luckman Musah said he lost bags of soybeans, maize and rice, as well as livestock, to the floodwaters.
“I have lost bags of soybeans, maize and rice, as well as my livestock, to the floods,” he said.
Mr Musah appealed to the government and other organisations to provide urgent support to affected families.
“We are appealing to the government and other stakeholders to come to our aid because we have lost our homes, food and sources of livelihood,” he added.
Damaged road disrupts business
The destruction of the feeder road has compounded the difficulties facing residents.
The road is an important link for the movement of people, farm produce and goods between the affected communities and the local market.
Eric, a business operator, said traders were struggling because customers could no longer move freely through the area.
“The damaged road has affected our businesses because customers and traders can no longer move freely between the communities and the market,” he said.
The disruption could also affect the supply of food and other essential goods if the road remains inaccessible.
District officials have warned that the situation may also affect access to healthcare services.
The District Chief Executive for North East Gonja, Abdul Mumin Ewuntomah, said about 93 structures had collapsed across the district.
Stating that residents from Bimbila who depended on the road to access the local market had been cut off.
“This road is very important because it links several communities to the market. People from around Bimbila also use it to engage in trading and other economic activities,” he said.
“If the route is not fixed, many people will not be able to come to the market, and this will affect businesses and livelihoods,” he added.
He appealed to the National Security, the Minister of Roads and Highways and the Department of Feeder Roads to treat the road damage as an emergency.
“The blockage could deny residents access to healthcare services in Bunjai and Salaga,” DCE warned.
Temporary solution underway
While residents wait for government assistance, the district assembly and community members are mobilising stones and gravel to create a temporary crossing. Road-construction equipment is also expected to arrive to support the work
The assembly says the temporary intervention will ease movement while longer-term plans are developed to restore the damaged road and support affected families.
For now, residents remain in urgent need of shelter, food, clean water and assistance to recover their livelihoods.
By Nadra Mohammed
